Apparatus for the heating of air



Nov. 9, 1937. J. MCELGIN APPARATUS Foa THE HEATING oF AIR Filed Nov. l2, 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet l NSEM @nun-xml ETNFW JoH/v Ms ELGIN, BY

MTM-q Nov. 9, 1937. J. MCELGIN 2,098,830

APPARATUS FOR THE HEATING OF AIR Filed Nov. 142, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Trvuowlo'o JOHN MSL-L GIN,

Patented Nov. 9, 1937 I .l 'Y v l. APPARATUS FOR THE HEATING OF` AIR John McElg-in, Philadelphia, Pa., assig'nor to John J. Nesbitt, Inc., Philadelphia, Pa., a corporavtion of Pennsylvania Application November 12, 1935, Serial No. 49,364 14 claims.l (c1. 257-124) My invention relates to apparatus for the heat. ing of air.

It ls the object of the invention to provide an improved apparatus obtaining uniform distribution of steam in blast heating radiators employed in unit ventilators, unit heaters, central fan heating and air conditioning systems.

It is an object to provide a more effective control over the degree of uniformity hitherto t obtained in a blast radiator.` This result is secured by uniformity heating or tempering air leaving the radiatorso that full advantage of the control system ofthe heating capacity for the radiator by modulating the Supply of steam i may be obtained. Y

It is a further object to provide an apparatus for regulating the heat output of the radiator without the necessity of by-passing unheated air around the radiator, while at the same time securing a 'uniform discharge temperature instead of distinct streams of hot and cold air.

It is a further object to thereby dispense with the space allotted to a by-pass chamber. By the arrangement of the instant invention, the volume of air handled remains the same at all times, thus eliminating the inevitable variable volume which is lobtained when dampers are used in connection with by-pass systems in vievr of fan characteristics. It is an object to eliminate the existing system of employing one or more banks of blast coils, the steam flo'w to which is regulated by a supply valve. Such an arrangement also suffers from hot and cold air streams when the supply is'modu1ated. For instance, the air stream at the steam end of the coilin this prior art structure is heated, whereas at thereturn end there'may be no heat at all, thereby incurring the danger of breakage in freezing weather. This prior art arrangement has resulted in separating the blast radiators into two or more sections that are brought into action successively as the outside temperature falls. This is unsatisfactory since it results in a step action thatprevents continuous, smooth control.

The present invention, by the use of steam distributing tubes of the nature` set forth and described herein, eliminates these defects of the prior art. It provides a uniform discharge temperature. The steam suppLv may be modulated in sub-freezing weather without the danger of forming ice in the radiator tubes at the return end.

The control is continuous over the full capacity of the radiator in that no distinct steps inV heating capacity are made. The functions of heating and tempering are combined in a single piece of apparatus, thus saving in valve and' installation costs and in the size of the apparatus. I

When applied to such equipment as unit ventilators and unit heaters, the present invention avoids the stratification of air into hot and cold 'this invention is used in connection with central Systems..

Particularly it is the object of this invention v,

to provide an apparatus distributing steam to various portions of a radiator by providing within the radiator a plurality of inner steam tubes of various lengths which connect to the main supply header in a manner similar to a plenum duct system. Each steam carrying channel is individual from the other channels employed and furnishes steam only to that portion of the radiator which is selected for that purpose.' The flow of steam entering each of the separate channels is controlled partially by the resistance of the tube, the number of holes drilled in it, the location of the holes, the size of-the holes and by the orifice sizeat the entry into each steam distributing tube.

It s a further object of this invention to so arrange the apparatus that once the entry orices are properly sized, the quantity of steam entering each of the separate steam distributing channels remains the same as that entering the other channels. This condition cannot be objtained with a single.' distributing tube in long radiators. l

Furthermore, a single distributing` tube lacks the uniformity of distribution, as it is affected` considerably by the demand due to varying" velocities within the tube.

It is an object of the instant invention to supply each tube from the main supply header, thus permitting an unchanging balance to be obtained between the Volume of steam entering each ofthe channels. f

It is a further object of the invention to use fins on the tube of any desiredrform, although I prefer to usens having turned-over ends to thereby form an air passageway through which the air ows over the tubes between the fins. The size and shape ofthe fins -are immaterial.

Referring to the drawings, Figure 1 is a diagrammaticview in section showing one form of multiple steam distribution tubes.

Figure y2 is a similar view showing diagrammatically other forms of steam distribution tubes.

Figure 3 is a section on the line 3-3 of Figure 4 showing the crimped restricted ends of the tubes. Figure' 4 is a perspective of a cast iron header,

v'the concentric tubes such as in Figure 2, from which have been removed some of the plates on the tubes to disclose the positioning fingers on the ends of the tubes, the holes in the tubes, and. the crimped ends thereof.

Figure 5 is a side elevation of a typical radiator partially broken away and partially in section.

Figure 61s a section on the line 6-6 of Figure 5.

Referring to the drawings in detail, I is a steam header, preferably of cast iron. 2 designates the main tube of copper having anges 3, which are retained upon the nipples 4 by the screw-threaded ange nuts .5 mounted upon the nipples 4 of the header I. A" similar construction of an'ges, nipples and nuts is provided on the return header 6. Mounted on the tube 2 is a plurality of copper fins 'I of any desired configuration, thickness, shape or size, but preferably of the proportions indicated on the drawings. There may be' provided,` optionally, turned-over ends 8 in order to close :the space on either side between the plates 1 to form a dened air passageway.

`order named. 'I'hese tubes are provided with apertures I3. The ends of the tubes may be crimped, as more fully shown in Figure 4. The apertures I3 are preferably arranged on one side of the tubes while the other side is continuous, serving to act as a drain for condensate, whic drains out the ends of the tubes.

In Figure 1 the distribution tubes are shown of the same size with the same size inlet orifices. By designing the number of apertures I3, the relative sizes of the tubes, the location of the apertures in the tubes and the proportions of the tubes to one another and to the main tube 2, an even distribution of steam can be `effected throughout the length of the tube so that a uniform modulated temperature of the air can be secured that is constant from ,end to end of the tube 2 to prevent hot and cold streaks and the by-passing ofcold air.

y In the form shown in Figure 2, I have arranged a plurality of tubes of successively greater lengths arranged one within another. 'While I have only shown the main tube and two inner steam distribution tubes, yet any number of such tubes can be employed, depending upon the size and other arrangements as they may be varied in the actual installation.

. In the simple construction shown in Figure 2, theshorter, outermost steam distribution tube I4 has its puter end closed as at I5 where it engages the inner tube I6 which projects beyond it.

'I'he inner end of the tube I4 is provided with a flange I4a which 'inter-engages with the flange 3 of the main tube Z'so that both of these anges, 3 and lI4a, can ybe clamped upon the common nipple 4 by the common clamping nut.5.

The free end of the tube I6 is crimped as at I'I. This free end is also supported by ngers I8 which engage the surface of the tube I6 and the interior of the main tube 2. Each of the tubes I4 and I6 is provided with the apertures I3. The

same conditions apply as to the location and arrangement of the apertures as heretofore explained.A

It will. be understood that this radiator can be made of any materials, such as aluminum, copper, iron or the like, but as a matter of practice I have 4found that a very successful and satisfactory radiator is onehaving cast iron headers such' as I and 6, copper main tubes, ns and distribution tubes, and copper clamping nuts 5.

By using the radiator of the instant invention, the air enters the room or subsequent apparatus in uniformly heated condition regardless of the quantity of preheating required. .Thus the combining of the several tempering coils formerly required into a single radiator gives a continuous control of the temperature of the leaving air that permits close regulation of the dewpoint temperature, regardless of the' outside weather conditions.

It will be understood that I desire to compref disposed, steam distribution tubes in the main tube having their youtlets disposed at different locations within said main tube, said distribution tubes having perforations spaced therealong.

3. In a radiator, spaced headers, an interconnecting main tube, and a plurality of interiorly disposed, steam distribution tubes in the main tube havingltheir outlets disposed at different locations within said main tube, said distribution tubes having perforations spaced therealong, said perforations being arranged in groups whereby the perforations in one tube will be grouped apart from the perforationsin another tube.

4. In a. radiator, spaced headers, an interconnecting main tube, and a plurality of interiorly disposed, steam distribution tubes in the main tube, said distribution tubes being of different length.

5. In a radiator, spaced headers, Ian interconnecting main tube, and a plurality of interiorly disposed, steam distribution tubes in the main tube, said distribution tubes being of different length and each of said tubes having a plurality of spaced perforations. e

6. In a radiator, spaced headers, an interconnecting main tube, and a plurality of interiorly disposed, steam distributiontubes in the main tube, said distribution tubes being of different length and each of saidtubeshaving a plurality of spaced perforations, said perforations being so arranged in each tube that steam supplied therethrough will be delivered to' a different part of themain tube -from each of the interiorly disposedtubes.` r

7. In combination, in a`l radiator, of spaced headers, interconnecting main tubes, and a plurality of interiorly disposed, perforated distribul tion tubes of different length having uniform entry orifices to each tube, said perforations in each tube being arranged to supply steam to different portions of the interior of the main tube.

8. In combination, in a radiator, of spaced headers, interconnecting main tubes, a plurality of interiorly disposed, perforated distribution tubes of diierent length having uniform entry orices to each tube, said perforations in each tube being arranged to supply steam to diierent portions of the interior of the main tube, and means to restrict the exit of steam from the end of at least one of said interiorly disposed, steam distribution tubes.

9. In combination, in a radiator, of spaced headers, interconnecting main tubes connecting said headers, a plurality of steam distribution tubes of diiferent length having spaced perforations in each tube located within the main tube, and means for positioning said steam distribution tubes to supply from the supply header predetermined amounts of steam thereto, said tubes being arranged one within another.

l0. In combination, in a radiator, of spaced headers, interconnecting main tubes connected to said headers, a telescopically arranged, interiorly disposed, distribution tube located Within each main tube and interlocked on the supply header with the end of the main tube mounted on the supply header, and a second interiorly disposed, steam distribution tube mounted Within the main tube of greater length than the first mentioned steam distribution tube, also adapted to receive steam from the steam supply header.

11. In. a radiator, spaced headers, interconnecting main tubes detachably connected thereto, and a plurality of perforated steam distribution tubes arranged one within another in each main tube, said distribution tubes progressively decreasing in length from the steam supply side of the radiator to the return side, the outer ends of said distribution tubes other than the longest tube having means thereon forming a closed connection with the next adjacent tube.

12. In a radiator, spaced headers, interconnecting main tubes detachably connected thereto, and a plurality of perforated steam distribution tubes mounted within each main tube progressively decreasing in length from the steam supply side of the radiator to the return side, the perforations in said tubes being so arranged that the perforations in one tube are located in a diierent part of the main tube than the perforations in another steam distribution tube.

13. In a radiator, spaced headers, interconnecting main tubes detachably connected thereto, a plurality of perforated steam distribution tubes mounted within each main tube progressively decreasing in length from the steam supply side of the radiator to the return side, the perforations in said tubes being so arranged that the perfovrations in one tube are located in a different part of the main tube than the perforations in another steam distribution tube, and means on at least one of said steam distribution tubes for restricting the end thereof.

14. In a radiator, spaced headers, interconnecting main tubes, and a plurality of perforated steam distribution tubes arranged one within another and of progressively greater length as the steam distribution tubes decrease in diameter.

15. In a radiator, spaced headers, interconnecting main tubes, and a plurality of perforated steam distribution tubes arranged one Within another and of progressively greater length as the steam distribution tubes decrease in diameter,

the smaller the tube the greater its length, andl the closer to the return header end of the main tube that that steam distribution tube supplies steam. Y

JOHN MCELGIN. 

